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Minsan nang naniwalang pinaglalaruan ako ng tadhana, Matapos ang pagkatagal na pait, pinalasap ang ginhawa Akala tuloy nakaahon na ngunit pagkislap ng mga tala, Ay siyang pagkirot muli ng mga sugat at marka. Ilang beses naulit ang ganitong taktika, Sumunod naman na animo’y nasa ilalim ng mahika Baka iyon na kasi ang tugon sa bawat “sana” Dalangin sa bawat “aray,” matamis na pag-asa. Nagpalit na ng kalendaryo, palundag-lundag na petsa Naging kasing dali na lang ng paghinga ang pag-inda, Hindi dahil ang sakit ay tuluyan nang nabura Parehong bagahe pa rin ang dala, ang pinagkaiba, Naunawaan na ang mahiwagang galaw ng tadhana Isang pagsasanay, parte ng proseso, kaya pala Mas gumaan, mas kayang harapin ang bala. Mga peklat na matagal kinasusuklaman, Itinuring na puno’t dulo ng kaguluhan. Ngayon ay nakikita na ang kagandahan Unti-unti, kailangan pagpasensyahan Niyakap mula sa kababawan at kailaliman Lahat ng sakit at marka ng pinangyarihan. May pagkakataon na maayos, minsan hindi Okay lang, hindi naman kailangang magmadali Panatilihing sundan ang sariling sulsi. Mas kaya mo na dahil tama na ang pin ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Written by: Jessel Tuazon Layout and Design by: Simon Estanislao

If someone asks what an economist is, people would probably think that it is all about the data-savvy individuals who solely compute the Gross Domestic Product (GDP), interest rates, exchange rates, or inflation rates–but being an economist is beyond these. They can also be found in various fields such as education, development, health, and the environment. Thus, it underscores that the world is already surrounded by economists–led by economists yet regardless if the world is ruled by economists or any individuals with different expertise and good character, the world will remain the same under the rigged system of capitalism, which only values things that generate profit at the expense of the welfare of the humanity. Economists are multifaceted and can penetrate different industries–business, financial services, government, law, research, urban planning, etc. They can handle micro and macro dilemmas of the society from local communities, entire nations, and even global perspectives. For instance, in the Philippines, the government has National Economic Development Authority (NEDA), the country’s socioeconomic planning body; Department of Budget and Management (DBM), which formulates and implements the National Budget; and the Department of Finance (DOF), the government’s steward of sound fiscal policy–there are still a lot of agencies, Local Government Units (LGUs), and even different branches of government graced by the presence of economists in the Philippines and the similar situation can be deemed identical with other countries. In addition, economics is composed of various definitions–wealth definition by Adam Smith, welfare definition by Alfred Marshall, scarcity definition by Lionel Charles Robbins, and growth definition by Paul Samuelson–the large-scale definition of economics per se justify the wide scope of this career path that it encompasses and needed to address–the versatility of this expertise make it easier to spot on economists in various fields. Then why does the world remain the same despite the presence of economists in various fields and industries? Economics often collaborates with politics. It serves the interest of the few, the efficient allocation of scarce resources do not reflect the current situation of the world–as billionaires unethically hoard money and accumulate capital, there are people who are suffering in hunger, absence of shelter, and inaccessible social services–trickle-down economics happening in reverse funneling the resources of majority only to be monopolized by the few. Moreover, bad economists who perpetuate anti-poor policies and show no empathy exist as well. As people live their day-to-day life, regressive tax system embraces them as they buy their basic commodities–no better example than the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) Law of the Philippines which pass on the burden of taxes on lower-income families –as farmers put food on the table for the majority of the population, rice self-sufficiency is becoming more like just as a dream, Rice Tariffication Law crippled massive farmers due to its mandate to import rice in the Philippines. Even if the world is led by good economists, it will yield almost the same outcome under the rigid system of capitalism. As communities are surrounded and led by economists or even by people with different expertise, crafting ideas and plans for a better world should no longer make one individual better off while making another one worse off. A system where individuals are being pitted against each other to attain a liveable life should no longer be called a system–a true genuine system treats all human beings with fairness, justice, and understanding. As humans come into existence, they deserve to receive a fair share of “scarce resources” of this world–something that they can use for a lifetime. A true world led by economists will uphold the only solution to address the basic problem of economics–efficiently allocate scarce resources to satisfy the needs of the people around the world–while necessitating people to participate in the production to satisfy what they want. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Written by: Jennifer Balgos Layout and Design by: Dan Kurt Buenaventura Sources: https://www.truity.com/career-profile/economist https://www.politicalsciencenotes.com/marxism/base-and-superstructure-definition-features-and-active-role/1249#:~:text=The%20most%20important%20feature%20of%20the%20economic%20basis,superstructure%20are%20ideology%2C%20culture%2C%20art%2C%20literature%2C%20history%20etc.

Why do we go to school? Why do we devote half of our lives to education? Well, it all started with a dreamy "I am going to be rich." or "I am going to be successful." Everyone wants to achieve something — we all believe that if we go to school, get educated, and earn a degree, there is a chance for us to become someone we envisioned ourselves to be. Every year, universities across the country produce hundreds of thousands of graduates, but have you seen these people, or at least half of them, become financially stable after two to three years of working as professionals? When confronted with the bitter taste of reality, we couldn't deny that most Filipinos, even college graduates, still fall into the trap of living paycheck to paycheck. We are all excited to leave university and enter the professional world, engrossed with the idea of earning money so that we can get ahead financially. However, even after a half-decade of working our tails off for a living, we still end up sinking in debt. According to a National Baseline Survey on Financial Inclusion conducted by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) in 2016, only four out of ten Filipinos have savings. Furthermore, according to BSP Governor Benjamin Diokno, 80% of the 7.6 million Filipinos aged 60 and up do not have a retirement fund. Aside from these, he added that 75% of the Filipino adult population, or 54 million Filipinos, have not invested at all. What do you think went wrong? Have you ever thought about what they were teaching us in school? Growing up, we learned about Math, English, Science, Geography, History, Calculus, and everything else except proper money management. The educational curriculum fundamentally lacks life skills — it did not teach us basic money management habits. Did it fail us? Technically, yes. Kieron Sweeney, an international speaker, mindset specialist, and business mentor, stated in his talk, “We all graduated with knowledge in certain areas, but the entire world runs on money, and if you don’t know how to manage it properly, you run into trouble.” Evidently, the school curriculum is one of the reasons why we’re still stuck in the quicksand of poverty, and it is partially to blame for the growing number of financially illiterate Filipinos. We’ve been clinging to the frail edge of the severely damaged paper bill that was left on our hands — indeed, we’re in serious trouble. To address this alarming issue, AAMBIS-OWA Partylist Rep. Sharon S. Garin and Marikina Rep. Stella Luz A. Quimbo filed House Bill No. 9058, also known as the “Savings and Investments Act of 2021”, a bill proposing to include a saving and investment subject in the junior high school curriculum to equip young Filipinos “with tools for long-term savings and long-term investments prior to senior high school and college or university studies.” Following the filing of the aforementioned bill, the Department of Education announced that they will expand the integration of financial education by issuing DepEd Order No. 022, Series of 2021, or Financial Education Policy. This aims to improve financial literacy and strengthen the skills of teachers and students in handling their finances. Furthermore, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) launched the Digital Personal Equity and Retirement Account (PERA), a voluntary retirement saving plan in which anyone can open an account online. This retirement plan allows its members to save and invest annually, resulting in tax-free investment returns and benefits. Banco De Oro also offers the Easy Investment Plan (EIP), ideal for people who want to save and invest for the long term. This program aims to assist its members in reaching their financial goals and achieving financial wellness. In addition, BDO ensured that investing through EIP is affordable by allowing members to invest as little as Php 1,000 per month. Heading back to Kieron Sweeney’s TED talk, he introduced Life’s Golden Buckets system: a simple money management system in which his goal is to assist everyone, especially parents around the world, in educating themselves and their children. Because he believes that they are the ones who are most likely to want their children to “grow up not in debt but flourishing with investments.” This system includes seven buckets representing our bank accounts: The first bucket is called the “Tax Account,” where our after-tax income goes. Self-employed individuals, particularly those who have their own business, will contribute 20% of their gross income to this account. After that, we’ll divide the money among six accounts. The second bucket is the “Investment Account,” where our money can grow. We will invest 10% of our money in this account, and we must never spend it. The third bucket is the “Spending Account,” into which another 10% of our money will be deposited. This will allow us to avoid using credit cards or taking out loans to buy the things we need and want. This bucket will keep us from going into debt. The fourth bucket is the “Education Account,” where we put 10% of our money to save for our education so that we can go to the university we want in the future. The fifth bucket is the “Life Necessities Account,” which gets 55% of our income. This will help to cover our day-to-day expenses. The sixth bucket is the “Fun Account” because we deserve to have fun while working our way to financial freedom and security. This is where we put another 10% of our money, which we must spend every month. The seventh bucket is the “Charity Account,” where we’ll put the remaining 5% of our money so that “we always have money to give back, and we have money whenever there’s a need in the world.” If we could make this system a habit, we might get ahead financially. If only we were taught these things in school, perhaps things would be different. Maybe if we learned about financial literacy, we would realize that it is not as complicated as it would seem and that it is not always about budgeting, cryptocurrency, investment, and trading. Being financially literate means that we have a different perspective on money and understand why we must protect it, and keep track of where it goes each month. It is about having the courage to take risks to achieve our dreams and other financial goals while well-equipped with financial principles and concepts. We will make wise financial decisions if we are financially literate. Financial literacy will provide us with fundamental knowledge of investment, budgeting, financial markets, savings, and capital budgeting. It will assist us in becoming financially independent and self-sufficient — it will help us get out of debt. We grew up wanting to achieve something, yearning to be someone we aspired to be, so we became slaves of money: hitting the books religiously to have a nice job and a decent income — we chased money unconsciously. During the chase, we had our chances — a lot of them — but we wasted every one of them; however, perhaps now is the time to be financially aware. Maybe we should stop making money and spend it mindlessly until it vanishes. We must break free from the cycle of living paycheck to paycheck. Let’s work on becoming financially literate because we should have realized by now that it’s financial freedom, not money, that we should be chasing. Here are some basic ways how to be financially literate: 1.) 𝗣𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗯𝘂𝗱𝗴𝗲𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗰𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗻𝘀𝗲𝘀. The problem with us is that we try to keep up with other people's lifestyles, so we buy things we don't need. This is because we do not have a budget and do not keep track of our expenses. Learning to do these things will allow us to maintain control of our money and eliminate wasteful spending. 2.) 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻 𝗻𝗲𝘄 𝗸𝗻𝗼𝘄𝗹𝗲𝗱𝗴𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘀𝗸𝗶𝗹𝗹𝘀 𝗼𝗻 𝗵𝗼𝘄 𝘁𝗼 𝗲𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗹𝘆 𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲𝘀. Do your research, read personal finance books, sign up for financial newsletters from reputable sources, and participate in webinars. You can try enrolling in courses or consulting with financial professionals if you have enough or extra money. 3.) 𝗢𝗽𝗲𝗻 𝗮 𝘀𝗮𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀 𝗮𝗰𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗻𝘁. This will help you secure your money while earning interest. 4.) 𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗶𝗻𝘃𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗼𝗽𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗳𝗶𝘁𝘀 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗯𝘂𝗱𝗴𝗲𝘁 We must dispel the myth that investing requires a large sum of money, when in fact, some investment plans allow for a minimum investment of Php 1,000. Investing can help our money grow and provide us with financial security in the future. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Written by: Daisy Mae Concepcion Layout and Design by: Cris Cudal and Charles Ian Ramos REFERENCES Sweeney, Kieron. [TEDx Talks]. 2016, May 28. Financial illiteracy in the school system | Kieron Sweeney | TEDxStanleyPark [Video]. YouTube. https://youtu.be/l6MxdDvk8QY Pascual, J. (2015, August 20). Most Filipinos have no savings – study. ABS-CBN News. https://news.abs-cbn.com/business/08/20/15/most-filipinos-have-no-savings-study Cordero, T. (2020, October 23). BSP’s Diokno: 75% or 54M Filipinos don’t have investments. GMA News. https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/money/economy/761120/bsp-s-diokno-75-or-54m-filipinos-don-t-have-investments/story/ Ornedo, J.M. (2020, September 9). 80% of Pinoy seniors have no retirement fund —BSP. GMA News. https://www.gmanetwork.com/ncaa/news/nation/754948/80-of-pinoy-seniors-have-no-retirement-fund-bsp/story/ Dela Cruz, J.M. (2021, April 5). Lawmakers want investments included in the Jr. HS curriculum. Business Mirror. https://businessmirror.com.ph/2021/04/05/lawmakers-want-investments-included-in-jr-hs-curriculum/ Bernardo, J. (2021, July 8). DepEd intensifies financial education to improve literacy in PH. ABS-CBN News. https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/07/08/21/deped-intensifies-financial-education

Lydia de Vega is known by some names: Asia's sprint queen, Asia's fastest female runner, 80's Asia's fastest woman, to name a few. This lady from Bulacan was the first female delegate of our country to the Olympics. Vega proves her title as The Iron Lady of track and field as she is a medaled runner and a multiple record holder in the SEA Games. She is the current record holder of the SEA Games in the 100 m category and the previous record-holder for the 200 m and Long Jump events. She carried also our banner to the 1984 and 1988 Olympics. "Diay", as her friends call her, was 1981, 1986, and 1987 Philippine Sports Writers Association's Athlete of the Year awardee. In 1993, she was the top seed in the Singapore SEA Games sprint event. And prior to retiring, she also became a public servant to her hometown and a coach to different teams including the Singapore Disability Sports Council National Team. Vega is truly a leader: molding others to be also the best in their fields. Her sneakers will forever be a witness of her dreams, granted also by her blood, sweat, and tears. She is Lydia de Vega- an olympian, a coach, and our pride. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Written by: Rizza Alarcio Layout and Design by: Gerald Reyes SOURCE: Coach Lydia - JS Athletics (js-athletics.com) https://www.rappler.com/sports/all-time-best-philippines-female-athletes/ PHILIPPINE MYTH, LEGENDS, FABLES, AND HISTORY: LYDIA DE VEGA MERCADO - THE FASTEST WOMAN IN ASIA A FILIPINO MATTERS TRIBUTE (storya-pilipinas.blogspot.com) Lydia De Vega (Runner) - Age, Birthday, Bio, Facts, Family, Net Worth, Height & More | AllFamous.org

As the Philippines shifted to the new normal, digital and mobile banking also proliferated. Digital and mobile banking became essential services in the Philippines during the pandemic as they provide online transactions that offer safety and convenience to their clients. According to the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), 20.1% of monthly transactions occurred digitally during the last quarter of 2020. Cyber Fraud Attack Involving BDO and Unionbank Last December 2021, almost 700 account holders of Banco De Oro Unibank (BDO Unibank) became victims of the recent cyber fraud attack in digital and mobile banking involving another bank, Unionbank of the Philippines (Unionbank). Some funds from the BDO customers worth Php 5 million are transferred illegally to some accounts in Unionbank. UnionBank chief technology and operations officer Henry Aguda stated that they are eyeing six persons of interest yet chose not to name them. The information regarding the identified individuals has already been transferred to the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and Philippine National Police (PNP). “As one of the receiving banks, Unionbank stands in solidarity with the entire banking industry and the relevant government agencies in fighting against the cybercriminals. We are collaborating closely with BDO. In fact, we’ve started collaborating even over the weekend,” Aguda said. In January 2022, the NBI arrested two Nigerian nationals: Ifesinachi Fountain Anaekwe, alias Daddy Champ and Chukwuemeka Peter Nwadi, and three Filipinos: Jherom Anthony Taupe, Ronelyn Panaligan, and Clay Revillosa regarding the scam. NBI Cybercrime Division chief Vic Lorenzo explained that the suspects sent out phishing emails and were able to generate OTP to access the victims' accounts. Fortunately, the receiving bank (Unionbank) freezes the funds from the unauthorized transfers making the cash unavailable for withdrawal. In the statement released by the BDO, the bank acknowledges the sophisticated fraud technique of the suspects, vows to reimburse the affected clients, and strengthen their existing security controls to avoid another incident in the future. According to Ramon Jocson, Bankers Association of the Philippines cybersecurity committee vice chairman, around Php 1 billion losses are recorded due to bank frauds amidst the increase in digital and mobile banking due to the pandemic. 57% of online fraudulent transactions victims came from the small and medium businesses sector. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Written by: Julie Ann Duyongan Layout and Design by: Dan Kurt Buenaventura Source: https://fintechnews.ph/54878/fintechphilippines/fintech-in-the-philippines-2021-in-review/ https://www.philstar.com/business/2021/11/06/2139242/digital-banking-philippines https://www.bworldonline.com/bank-fraud-losses-hit-p1-billion/ https://www.philstar.com/business/2022/01/21/2155437/nbi-arrests-5-people-over-bdo-hacking https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1528273/bank-fraud-probe-tags-6 https://cnnphilippines.com/business/2021/12/12/BSP-pushes-for-reimbursement-of-victims-of-BDO-fiasco-.html

Love, a sacred form of feeling that I can never understand, or do I? It was Monday today, and as I walked through the path, that led me to the situation where it is ough as the building of hope, knowledge, and aspiration. I listen to the humming of the bird along this river that I was walking through –deserving for me to bathe after school, with the dominance of Sierra Madre in the northern part of me. I walked until I passed through the loud noises of the fishermen, "Oh! Isa, pagkabilang ko ng isa itulak niyo ha!'' If I stomp by them, I know I will receive ample fish. I want to, but I don't want to be scolded again because of the fish I usually brought to school, like the past week that had passed. Finals are coming, I don't want to leave an impression on her –the teacher, again, just like the last time. "Piyo!" someone shouted from the elevated sea walls built by the current local government; the blocks were sturdy, hence, practical enough to protect the housing from falling due to the continuous typhoon that struck the village. I looked up to see the person that was coming in my direction, Geneve. With his famous hoodie, it was the 2nd week of the month, and yet the ocean's breeze was as cold as always; it froze me. "Nakapag-review ka na?" I hissed silently when I remembered that we had a quiz today. I was busy thinking of what may happen after I lost track of today. I smiled and looked at him as a sign of no, always a no. I stared blankly through his eyes and looked away out of shame, for a million times, to be able to pass, I needed to copy his answers again. Just like always. And, it's Valentine's Day. I looked berserk because girls love to leave gifts on my table; flowers, chocolates, cookies, and love letters were all scattered in front of me. Isda nalang sana o kaya bigas, okay pa. Why do they have to waste such money on this occasion? It's not as if I'm complaining that I receive this type of gift annually. It's just that I'm not interested in any of it. "Dami ah" I looked at Geneve as he stated the FACT. I gave him a faint smile and looked at his table, nothing. "Oh," I gave him a small box ribboned by abaca, coated by a newspaper and a bit of glue. “Akin talaga lahat ng hindi mo trip no?” He laughed and said his thanks before proceeding with his seat. No, it's my gift; it always is. "Tara, after class pre!" I said as I pointed to the gifts I received today. Every year, this has become our hobby. We spend time together after school when it's valentine's day. I can't eat all those gifts alone. And now this will be the last one, and we will graduate high school and take a different path, separately. "Kamusta?" I asked; it's been an hour since we were eating on the sides of the seawall. “Planado mo na talaga lahat no?” I smiled faintly as I watched the sunset. I even saw a starling murmuration happily flying free. I was blinded by the sight that I could no longer smile. “Kuling-dagat” he whispered, “Pangarap kong maging katulad nila, malaya.” I avoided his words, which somewhat struck hope on to me, "Doctor na talaga?" I faintly stated. He smiled, "Doctor na." The ends are far, very far, and unable to reach, but I know him, I believe in him. Geneve, a name sounded like the heavens, as if it were perfectly made to keep me sane, in this ridiculous ocean that kept throwing destruction onto my home. I felt safe. "Huwag ka magalaw" I whispered as his shoulders started to shake, "Iiyak ka nanaman eh! Ikaw lang ang gagraduate ng una sa klase pero malungkot" Skies are starting to turn a little red, a great symbol of today, not out of the lovely ambiance but out of regret, "Hindi mo kasalanan na may pera ka, ako wala." "Gwapo naman ako eh, ikaw hindi." I blurted random things to keep me happy because if I didn't, I would break. He's honest, he's the light, the art, he's the paint, and I was the empty canvas, the dark, the wrecked, but still, I'm Piyo. And that's what makes me unique, I am me, the one he introduced to me, Piyo. Looking directly at the moon starting to show its beauty, together with this post light lighting the gap between us, I sight. I never knew silence was this loud, "Wala akong pupuntahan, di’ tulad mo, ang kailangan ko kasi pera, hindi pangarap." Overly staying beside him felt like a sin, but I will happily be put in Tartarus just to stay beside him; right now, it was the moment I will cherish, I was melting like a block of ice, but this feeling is a masterpiece, so I stood just here, just to stay here, silently. A life with dull, monotonous skies is now trying to chase a rainbow, silently, secretly, sadly. I will stay, even just for today, for a minute. I will watch you smile, look at those unreachable skies as I stare at you beside me, feeling the distance between us that even measuring it through light-years is not enough. But I'm okay with that. Just thinking of us is heaven-sent above. Hindi. Mali ka, malaya ka, sa sobrang laya mo, kayang kaya mo akong iwan ng mag-isa. "Gev, alis na ko." forsaking the route, the intentions, the promises, the wordless affection. That is in another world; this emotion I'm witnessing is worth another shot. Different places, at a great time; be not afraid, just sheer bliss. — “Doc!!!” “Pasyente po, natusok daw ng biwas” my brow creased as to what I have heard. Bata na naman siguro. Siguro, I mentally blurted as the patient walked through the room with a smirk on his face. I can see through you how ashamed you are as I sterilized and prepped my equipment, that shy smirk. What did you do this time, huh? "Isda ka na ba ngayon?" I asked. I looked at him with his bearded face that matured as time passed, clearly seeing the old him, easily agitated by the public flocking on to him, and yet, a soft and wonderful person with me, always with that far-away stare, like I’m an unreachable star unwilling to fall for him, as I began to treat his folly, he flinched. “Mahina kasi yung huli, malakas yung gulong ng dagat, kaya nag tabi muna kami ng lambat.” he explained, “kaso hindi ko napansin na may biwas pala doon,” he smiled shyly “Ayon, nadale ako” I languidly laugh as I finish what I was doing "Edi wala tayong ulam mamaya?" I joked. "Karne nalang," he answered, slowly rising from his seat and smiling at me. You still have a low view of yourself after all these years. Now that we have the expense to express our love; you battled and never abandoned it; promise, as I stand beside my dream, I will assist you in overcoming your fear. “Piyo” I called, “Malapit nang bumaba ang araw, umuwi na tayo.” In the province where I grew up, I worked as a resident doctor in a community hospital. It took me years and years of sacrifice, hence, I stayed because I was given the opportunity. Now it's Valentine's Day, and as we go down the corridor, I smile as people's eyes travel past mine involuntarily and look at him, salivating. Nothing has changed, as it always has. “Geneve, bilis.” he boredly said. Eto na nga, sayo na nga eh. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Written by: Jan Chloe M. Alpay Layout and Design by: Dan Kurt Buenaventura

Love has no price yet it’s never free. Every 14th of February, we celebrate Valentine’s Day. When love is our utmost priority, our pockets get heavier and our outgoings are merely tighter – but we still celebrate. It has been a part of our culture and tradition, as this serves as an opportunity to give and show love to others. But, is it necessary to give gifts? Economically speaking, Valentine’s Day will be one of the most expensive dates after Christmas Day, wherein people consume a lot by buying gifts for their loved ones. According to Picodi.com, an international e-commerce company that includes the Philippines in 38 countries that they surveyed, it shows that on average, Filipinos spend ₱1,421 on Valentine’s Day gifts with men spending about 62% (₱1,843) more than women (₱1,139). Among the gathered answers, their go-to gifts are food delivery, dinner at a restaurant, flowers, tickets to the cinema, letters, and sweets. Diving into its roots, what is the sole purpose of this celebration? Is it just about fancy gifts? Shiny shoes? Branded clothes? Bouquet of lovely roses? Or a full-of-cavity sweets treat? Reflect. Retrospect. Re-assess. Perhaps this year’s celebration of love could be the time to allow yourself to read more between the lines. To look outside the box, to re-learn the art of appreciating little things, and to just let things flow on their own. There’s no wrong in being extra as long as your expenses are within your means considering that we’re in these trying times. Besides, showing love can be in different ways and forms. It’s not always the tangibles. Love has no price yet it’s never free. There’s always a price to pay for what both parties are receiving and giving because when we love someone, we should be brave enough to pay the costs that it brings. A cost of our time, commitment, honesty, and mutual trust. So go ahead, build up your walls so high, strengthen your standards for love, acknowledge your boundaries, & spend within your means…..and love like every day is Valentine’s Day. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Written by: Moises Caleon Layout and Design by: Dan Kurt Buenaventura Sources: Picodi.com (2021) Valentine’s Day in the Philippines: expectations vs. reality. https://www.picodi.com/ph/bargain-hunting/valentine-s-day-in-2021

Hi guys! Welcome back to another video. Today, we’re going to talk about study habits that might work for you. Before that, if you haven't subscribed yet, please subscribe to my channel, hit the notification bell so you’ll get notified whenever I post and leave a comment below- This intro is all too familiar for most students that it almost became an antiphlamine to all our bruised study habits that are just too painful to go through. It is a never-ending saga of looking up different YouTube videos that might help us reach our peak production zone. Searching various articles that could possibly crack open the walls of procrastination so that we could see even a tiny glimpse of hope that we can still fix our messed-up study patterns. But what if the walls are too thick? In a more broad sense, consistency, keeping track of everything, making a list that we could cross out (honestly, just for the sake of it). NOT cramming, joining study groups, going to coffee shops or other preferred study environments, and STAYING organized should be habitual, as a student if we’re putting our perspective in a more general manner. Now, this is scary. It says we CAN’T cram. It's like telling a college student to stop breathing. The thing is, there are a lot of tools to use to break down the wall. But these tools should be relevant and fitting. If you’re going to sever a brick wall, why use an ax that could only destroy a picket fence? Distance learning and online classes are very new to most Filipino students. Hence, the way to navigate around it should also be up to date. All the while, it should be appropriate to the navigator. Neil Fleming’s VARK model shows that individuals, such as students, have their own preferred way of gathering, organizing, and thinking about the information they receive. That’s why VARK stands for Visual, Auditory, Reading and Writing, and Kinesthetic. All of these are considered as learning styles. Being familiar with your own learning style is a huge deal when looking for a workable study habit for you. Visual learners tend to rely on pictures and diagrams. They like to watch how the concept unfolds. Most visual learners have a habit of watching videos of how something is done. For example, a maths equation is solved and demonstrated by an instructor. These learners are advised to watch lots of related videos every after discussion or even while reviewing on their own just to be refreshed with the lesson. For Auditory learners, it is suggested to attend lectures and discussions regularly, using rhymes and jingles to memorize something; recording class discussions, converting concepts in textbooks into verbal descriptions, and read-aloud whenever reviewing. They can also have a study partner who can review their notes aloud or a group study that requires productive discourse. For learners who prefer to read and write, re-writing notes could be a helpful habit. These types of learners are the ones who keep tons of highlighters with them so they can highlight their way through college —no pun intended. It is also best to write down the key concepts and briefly summarize the lecture based on their understanding. Diagrams, charts, and graphs should have their written explanation too. Some Read and Write learners tend to print out their notes, which we commonly see in Youtubers who share their own way of staying sane amidst academic plight. Aside from writing, this learner should always read, read, and read. Lastly, for Kinesthetic Learners who like hands-on activities, it is best to engage in light activities while studying. Some recommended habits are writing key concepts, words, or phrases onto flashcards and then reviewing them while exercising, or having a peaceful walk out of the house, given that it is safe to go out. It was also proposed that visiting sites of what they are studying could also work for them. For instance: museums and historical sites. At the end of the day, this still depends on you. If you think a YouTube video titled “How To Be A Straight A+ Student: Study Habits and Hacks” or an article saying “These Are 7 Study Habits for Successful Students” encourage and stimulate you the most, then go for it. After all, it is almost natural for all human beings to follow something others have already gone through. But remember this: in breaking that wall, some might use a demolition drill or a sledgehammer, depending on what they can handle. Some may even just grab a ladder and climb through the wall. Whatever works for them the best. So, what’s yours? Comment it below! ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Written by: Gabrielle Tan Layout and Design by: Adrian Nabua Sources: LEARNING STYLES. (n.d.). https://ace.fsu.edu/sites/g/files/upcbnu296/files/Study_Strategies_by_Learning_Styles.pdf Seven Tips for Adjusting Your Study Habits During COVID-19 - Meredith College. (2021, September 24). Meredith College. https://www.meredith.edu/admissions-blog/seven-tips-for-adjusting-your-study-habits-during-covid-19/ Tips for Studying for Auditory Learners | Cowley College. (2022). Cowley.edu. https://www.cowley.edu/academics/skills/tipsal.html What are VARK Learning Styles? (2022). Definedlearning.com. https://blog.definedlearning.com/blog/what-are-vark-learning-styles 6 Crucial Study Habits for College Students. (2018). Apu.edu; Azusa Pacific University. https://www.apu.edu/articles/6-crucial-study-habits-for-college-students/

Insurance for Filipinos is motioned as a liability rather than a source of funds when events in life go from bad to worse. However, this notion has progressively changed in the past years as better insurance coverage covering individual customers with specific needs and persons needing medical insurance given their condition was then introduced in the country. With that, it resulted in the increasing insurance penetration in the Philippines and a change in how consumers behave in buying insurance policies. This change has affected the overall consumption of premium insurances which is accounted for 1.4 of the country’s national income. Based on Inquirer, for the past century, the insurance industry has been long-standing but surprisingly only 16% of the middle to upper-income Filipinos have insurance policies, as being deemed as a liability rather than a contingency plan. (Research from the Sun Life Financial Philippines Inc.) According to Mylene Lopa the chief marketing officer of SLFP, it stated in the SunLife Study of Lifestyles, Attitudes, and Relationships in late 2017, surveying 1,200 respondents showed 71% of the middle to upper class knew about insurance but inversely only 16 percent owned life insurance policies. The state of awareness goes up the higher one’s income segment and the lower the income awareness and utilizing insurance policies is dire. During the year 2018, almost 17% of the Filipino population lived below the national poverty line. Connected to this the number of insurances covered by insurance in any form whether by traditional products or the newer insurance models have been honed by this reality in the socio-economic status of the people. Going back to Sun Life’s research the question begs to instill why the insurance penetration is still low. Wherein 3 main reasons can be used to reason with this low penetration. One is that Filipinos have a traditional mindset. Secondly, Filipinos have a short-term time horizon, lastly insurance is still sadly deemed to be a liability rather than an expense or even an asset. With the recession brought by the pandemic, insurance policies could be a way to alleviate the sudden pressures brought by unwanted problems like being sick and not knowing how to pay the bills. Life insurers state that there is a low penetration with the ongoing pandemic since the big problem is that not everyone who has been infected with Covid19 has insurance coverage. Sison explained that the Philippines remains an underpenetrated market when it comes to individual insurance. The latest Insurance Commission (IC) data showed insurance penetration the premium volume as a share of GDP is only at 12.69 percent as of September 2019. Sison also exclaimed that financial literacy should be taught to people to view insurance gain as a priority to make our countrymen less vulnerable to the unprecedented. Though in light of the Covid-19 pandemic and the calamities in the country we should gear towards insurance coverage for all. Insurance now is a necessity more than ever, Filipinos like us should already see the risks involved with the lack of financial security with the cases of deaths in the country. The 2019 recent survey among insurance owners in the Philippines stated that 30% replied that life and hospitalization insurance were their most preferred insurance policies. Filipinos with pre-need insurance plans took life insurance plans amounting to almost one million in 2019. That hope that insurance gives of being free financially begs to question, Ikaw insured ka na ba? ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Written by: Leo Llanita Layout and Design by: Dennis Amoroso References: Ben O. de Vera. (2020, May 25). COVID-19 claims show low insurance penetration in PH, say life insurers. INQUIRER.net. https://business.inquirer.net/298179/covid-19-claims-show-low-insurance-penetration-in-ph-say-life-insurers Dumlao-Abadilla, D. (2018, 2). Insurance penetration in PH remains low. INQUIRER.net. https://business.inquirer.net/251823/insurance-penetration-ph-remains-low Topic: Insurance industry in the Philippines. (2020, December 7). Statista. https://www.statista.com/topics/5581/insurance-industry-in-philippines/#dossierKeyfigures

Eyes brimming with warmth and purity, The contentment brought sight to the blinded crowd. Why don’t you look at the child? The one who needs a future to rely on; Would you let that happy face turn into a frown? Nevertheless, there is a genuine smile to behold. If tears flowed from those eyes, Bliss will no longer share a magical sense in life. Living in a dream, a fantasy that contentment is through money. But with this kid, It's never been so strange to find tranquility in a child's euphoric eyes. As if it was the happiness that used to be ours. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Photographed by: Dan Kurt Buenaventura Caption by: Chloe Alpay

The official campaign season for national office candidates began on Tuesday, February 8, 2022. The candidates have 86 days, or until May 7, to present their plans and persuade citizens to vote for them on election day, May 9. Meanwhile, the campaign period for municipal elective offices starts on March 25. The campaign will have breaks on April 14 (Maundy Thursday) and April 15 (Good Friday). According to the final ballot released by the Comelec on January 25, the 2022 elections will have ten candidates for president, nine for vice president, 64 for senators, and 177 party-list groups. The ten presidential candidates are former presidential spokesperson Ernesto Abella, labor leader Leody de Guzman, Manila Mayor Isko Moreno Domagoso, former defense secretary Norberto Gonzales, Sen. Ping Lacson, businessman Faisal Mangondato, former Sen. Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., doctor and lawyer Jose Montemayor Jr., Sen. Manny Pacquiao, and Vice President Leni Robredo. The nine candidates for the position of vice president are Rep. Lito Atienza (Buhay Party-list), former lawmaker Walden Bello, broadcaster and pro-life advocate Rizalito David, Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte, direct democracy advocate Manny Lopez, Dr. Willie Ong, Sen. Francis Pangilinan, Atty. Carlos Serapio, and Senate President Vicente Sotto III. There will only be 12 senators proclaimed winners. Party-list groups that receive 2% of the vote will be guaranteed one seat in Congress. At the same time, local elections for over 18,000 seats will take place. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Written by: Kim Andrei Nicomedez Source: https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2022/02/08/2159184/live-updates-2022-campaign-trail https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1551275/covid-redraws-rules-of-campaign-for-2022-elections

The Republic Act. 11639, also known as the 2022 national budget, had been signed into law by President Rodrigo Duterte last December 30, 2021. This year’s budget amounts to ₱5.024 trillion and is 11.5% higher than the 2021 national budget tied with the theme of “Sustaining the Legacy of Real Change for Future Generations" in which the government promised resiliency, recovery, and legacy through the increased budget for the Philippines. The top 10 departments which will receive the biggest allocation on the 2022 national budget are the sector of Education with ₱788.5 billion, Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) with ₱786.6 billion, Department of Health (DOH), and PhilHealth with ₱268.4 billion, Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) with ₱251.3 billion and Department of National Defense (DND) with ₱220.9 billion. Moreover, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) will receive a budget of ₱205 billion for 2022 while the Department of Agriculture (DA) and National Irrigation (NIA) will be granted ₱102.5 billion. Lastly, the Department of Transportation (DOTr), Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), and the Judiciary are allotted ₱75.8 billion, ₱51.3, and ₱47 billion of budget respectively. The Education sector comprises the Department of Education (DepEd), Commission on Higher Education (CHED), State Universities and Colleges (SUCs), and Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA). Although the initial proposed budget of DepEd was ₱1.37 trillion, it is ₱38.6 billion higher compared to the 2021 allocation. Meanwhile, the increase in allotted budget is said to be vital in implementing programs of DepEd such as DepEd Computerization Program with ₱11.76 billion, Basic Education Facilities who shall get ₱5.94 billion, Learning Tools and & Equipment allocated with ₱2.72 billion while Last Miles Schools Programs will receive ₱1.51 billion, Madrasah Education Program will be funded with ₱356.83 million and Indigenous People’s Education with ₱144.3 million. In a press release published by DOH on January 20, they announced the continuous implementation of Covid19 benefits to Health Care Workers (HCWs) as it was allotted ₱1.08 billion in the 2022 national budget. Also, benefits that some health workers receive such as Active Hazard Duty Pay, allowance for meals, accommodation, and transportation, and the Special Risk Allowance will be combined in the new One Covid19 Allowance (OCA). Unlike the previous version, this will be equally administered and accessible to all Covid19 involved health care workers. Per the exposure classification on Covid19, high-risk exposed healthcare workers may receive ₱9,000 a month whereas those who are labeled as moderately exposed will get ₱6,000 and low-risk ₱3,000. Covid19 exposure classification was assessed based on the type of health facility the workers are placed in, work nature, and setting. Lastly, guidelines on the Covid19 Risk Exposure Classification will be published in Administrative Order 2022-0001 while for faster and easier issuance of the said benefits, DOH and Department of Budget and Management (DBM) shall release a Joint Administrative Order for guidelines. On the other hand, the government appropriated fund amounted to ₱61.6 billion for the acquisition of Covid19 vaccines boosters for 2022. If viewed by class allotment, Maintenance and Other Operating Expenditures (MOOE) receives the highest allocation in the 2022 national budget amounting to ₱2.599 trillion. MOOE covers the daily operating expenses of the different government agencies followed by Personal Services Expenditures or the expenses for government employees’ salaries and benefits that are allotted with ₱1.405 trillion. The Capital Outlay or in simple terms, investment in the assets of the government, on the other hand, shall receive ₱1.019 trillion in 2022. In an article published by Reuters on December 30, 2021, the ₱5.024 trillion 2022 national budget is the Philippines’ highest allocated budget ever. This is due to the COVID-19 battle for almost 2 years, and facing its negative impacts on our economy. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Written by: Kharen Mamplata Layout and Design by: Simon Estanislao Sources: https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1164075#:~:text=MANILA%20%E2%80%93%20President%20Rodrigo%20R.,the%20aftermath%20of%20Typhoon%20Odette. https://www.dbm.gov.ph/index.php/secretary-s-corner/press-releases/list-of-press-releases/2036-recovery-growth-and-sustainability-highlighted-in-the-signed-fy-2022-national-budget https://cnnphilippines.com/news/2021/12/30/2022-national-budget-Duterte.html https://www.ombudsman.gov.ph/UNDP4/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/Chap3_FAQ.pdf https://www.dbm.gov.ph/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/PGB-B2.pdf https://www.deped.gov.ph/2022/01/04/deped-thanks-pres-duterte-congress-as-education-sector-gets-biggest-hike-in-2022-budget/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=deped-thanks-pres-duterte-congress-as-education-sector-gets-biggest-hike-in-2022-budget&fbclid=IwAR2hnHJzdcLlynYbE9h3JmMOagdf8geX65Ytk0n7xlOKxCS4ik4L6ITDQds#:~:text=DepEd%20has%20initially%20proposed%20a,has%20an%20allocation%20of%20P591.&text=Some%20of%20DepEd's%20major%20programs,Learning%20Tools%20and%20Equipment%20 https://doh.gov.ph/press-release/DOH-TO-CONTINUE-PROVIDING-HEALTHCARE-WORKERS-BENEFITS-IN-2022 https://www.rappler.com/nation/congress-approved-2022-budget-december-2021/ https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1513418/dpwh-suffers-p32b-budget-cut-from-senate-panel https://www.ombudsman.gov.ph/UNDP4/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/Chap1_FAQ.pdf https://www.usnews.com/news/world/articles/2021-12-30/philippines-duterte-signs-98-5-billion-budget-for-2022